Rep. Baldwin seeks funds for LGBT health research

June 26, 2009

Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin has made it her goal to pass legislation that would fund
federal research into sexual orientation and gender identity. She
ultimately plans to improve health care for the LGBT community.

The bill is called HR 3001, the Ending Health Disparities for LGBT
Americans Act (ELHDA), is sponsored by House Energy and Commerce
Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) and Reps. Barbara Lee
(D-CA), Mike Honda (D-CA), and Nydia Velazquez (D-NY). In addition
to funding data collection and cultural competence training, the
bill will also address nondiscrimination policies for all federal
health plans, extend Medicare benefits to same-sex domestic
partners, and create a new office of LGBT Health within the
Department of Health and Human Services.

“Our current health care system fails LGBT Americans on many
levels,” says Rep. Baldwin. “… the federal government lacks even
the most basic data on sexual orientation and gender identity and
health. This bill invests in research and takes critical steps
towards improving the health of LGBT Americans and their
families.”

Family Equality Council has been working hard on capitol hill
directly with Rep. Baldwin and other congressmembers to make sure
LGBT families are included in this year’s health care reforms.